News 14:00
BULLETIN 11 March 2 pm
Good afternoon. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# AfriForum urges the minister of Finance to cut the fuel levy amid the global energy crisis
# Iran warns it will target American-Israeli economic and banking interests in the Middle East
# And foot-and-mouth cases rise to six in the Garden Route Municipality
# AfriForum is calling on Finance minister Enoch Godongwana to cut the fuel levy as global oil prices soar following the Middle Eastern conflict. The organisation warns rising fuel costs will push up the price of goods. AfriForum’s Ernst van Zyl urges government to provide relief to households and protect the domestic economy, citing a similar fuel levy cut in 2022 during the Russian–Ukrainian crisis as precedent:
Iran meanwhile warns it will target economic and banking interests linked to the US and Israel in the Middle East. This follows an apparent attack on one of Iran’s banks by US and Israeli forces. A spokesperson for Iran’s military command warns people in the region to stay away from banks, stating the enemy was forcing their hand to target economic centres and banks linked to what it calls the US and Zionist regime in the region.
Back home:
# The GOOD Party says president Cyril Ramaphosa’s claim that he erroneously appointed Judge Sisi Khampepe to lead the Truth and Reconciliation Commission inquiry requires further scrutiny. This was revealed in court papers filed in response to a legal challenge brought by former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma. They seek Khampepe’s recusal, citing bias. Khampepe served on the TRC’s amnesty committee. GOOD’s secretary general, Brett Herron, demands an explanation from Ramaphosa:
# The Garden Route District Municipality in the Western Cape says the number of foot-and-mouth disease cases has increased to six. Suspected cases with pending test results also stand at six. The municipality’s spokesperson, Herman Pieters, says 12 FMD tests have returned negative in recent days. He says there has been no official response from the South African National Defence Force regarding the request for assistance at vehicle control points:
# Soccer: CAF president Patrice Motsepe has announced a major prize money increase for African club competitions ahead of the 2025/26 season. The winner of the CAF Champions League will receive 98-million-rand, up from 40-million-rand, while the CAF Confederation Cup champion’s prize money will increase to 65-million-rand, from 20.4-million-rand since Motsepe’s five-year leadership. The latest increases take the overall prize money to African clubs to over 685-million-rand per season. Motsepe says the changes aim to strengthen African soccer and increase financial support to clubs across the continent.
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-35-cents and the euro at 18-rand-98-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-96-cents and Bitcoin trades at 69-thousand-466-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-193-dollars-41-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 88-dollars-80-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….